Weather strip groove adjuster and sash retainer



April 4 1944- l J. P. GLAsER Erm. 2,345,806

WEATHERSTRIP GROOVE ADJUSTER AND SASHRETAINER v Filed April 23, 1940' 2sheets-sheet 1 ZSmJentor :i J e P67056?" ii April-4, 1944' J. P. GLASERErm, 2,345,806

WEATHBRSTRIP GROOVE ADJUSTER AND SASH RETAINER Filed April 23, 1940 2Sheets-Sheet 2 i *11 .15- LS'J/ 55 52 23 25 v l k /fo/ 20 Patented 4,

WEATHER STRIP GROOVE ADJUSTER AND SASH RETAINER Joseph P. Glaser andLeon E. Willett, Detroit, Mich., assignors to Chamberlin Metal WeatherStrip Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan ApplicationApril 23, 1940, Serial No. 331,198 15 Claims. (Cl. 292-70) Thisinvention relates to window weatherstrip structures and in particular toa device for increasing the eillciency of such structures.

One object of the invention is to provide a weatherstrip groove adjusterand sash retainer which will tighten the engagement of the sash with theweatherstrip and also apply a force to the weatherstrip to frictionallyhold thesash in any desired position of adjustment.

Another object is to provide a Weatherstrip groove adjuster and sashretainer wherein an elongated element is urged laterally into frictionalengagement with the weatherstrip so that it reduces the channelsotherwise available for the entry of 'outside air and at the same timefrictionally engages the weatherstrip so that the sash will remainpartially or wholly open or closed without the necessity for providingsash weights or springs.

Another object is to provide a weatherstrip groove adjuster and sashretainer wherein the sash is provided with a longitudinal groovecontaining a laterally expansible bar engaging the weatherstrip andclosing up any cracks existing therebetween.

Another object is to provide a device as set forth in the precedingobject wherein the bar is urged wholly laterally into engagement withthe weatherstrip, yet is prevented from engaging the window frame withany appreciable force.

Another object is to provide a device as set forth in the precedingobjects wherein a split bar is spread apart by a wedge device actuatedby means projecting through the sash and adjustable without removing thewindow stop or other window or sash structure.

Another object is to provide a device as set forth in the precedingobjects wherein a lever is provided for urging the bar laterally againstthe line 3-3 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged horizontal section taken `along the line 4-4through the axis of the wedging screw. v

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the expansible bar shown in Figures 1to 4, inclusive, and removed from the window assembly.

Figure 6 is a horizontal section similar to Figure 2, but showing amodification wherein the bar is urged transversely by a lever and screw.

Figure '7 is a side elevation, partly broken away and in section, of themodification shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the bar removed from themodifications of Figures 6 and 7.

Figure 9 is a horizontal section similar to Figure 2 of a modificationemploying an expanding wedge with a screw cam expander.

Figure 10 is a side elevation partly broken away and in section, of themodification shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a transverse section taken along the line I I-I I in Figure9, but showing only the sash and the portion of the window strip engagedby the expansible bar.

General arrangement In general, the weatherstrip groove adjuster andsash retainer of this invention consists of a bar mounted in alongitudinal groove in the edge of the sash, together with various meansfor urging a portion of the bar transversely of the sash into engagementwith the portion of the weatherstrip entering the sash groove. The forceis preferably applied wholly transversely so that the bar is not urgedoutwardly into engagement with the window frame. In the principal formof the invention the bar has longitudinal slots provided withscrew-actuated wedges for expand ing it transversely into engagementwith the weatherstrip.

In one modification, the bar is urged transversely by a lever which inturn is actuated by a screw. In another modication a slotted bar isexpanded transversely by a wedge engaged by a screw perpendicular to theaxis of the wedge and having a cam action thereon.

Hitherto the building art has often employed prefabricated window frameand sash units which are manufactured at the factory and later installedin the building. Manufacturers of these units have been unable todetermine the exact nt which the sash should have with the window framein view of the fact that the unit is afterward exposed to moisture whichexpands the parts if, as usual, they are made of wood.

In particular, a window and sash unit installed in a newly erectedbuilding is usually mounted adjacent freshly plastered walls. Thisplaster panding screw 3l is provided with the usual screw A escapes asthe plaster hardens. Much of the water enters the wooden window frameand sash, causing them to expand and bind. The sash and windowframe arepreferably made so that they will have a relatively snug t when dry,because only by-such a snug tlt can the entrance of air around the edgeof the sash be prevented. If, however, such a snugly fitting unit ismounted in a freshly plastered building, the consequent expansion of thewooden frame and sash causes them to bind and renders the windowincapable of being opened or closed. In order to prevent this binding,therefore, it has been necessary hitherto to leave large clearancespaces between the sash and the adjacent window frame. These largeclearances enable the sash and window frame to expand considerablyasthey become impregnated with the moisture from the plaster walls, sothat a fairly snug t is obtained when.

the parts are damp. When the parts dry out, however, large cracks arefrequently left between the sash and the window frame through which windwill blow, causing drafts and cooling ofthe house.

The present invention eliminates these diiliculties by providing atransversely urged bar engageable with the portion of the weatherstripentering the sash groove. only in a substantially transverse direction,it does not expand outwardly into engagement with the window frame. Asthe bar tightly engages the weatherstrip, no cracks remain through whichwind can enter. At the same' time, the barengages the weatherstrip witha sufficient frictional eil'ect to hold the window fully or partiallyopen at any desired point, thereby eliminating the need for sashcounterweights or springs.

' I Preferred construction Referring to the drawings in detail, Figure 1shows a window and sash unit having a sash I with upper and lower stilesII and-I2 and side stiles I3. The side stiles I3 move up and down I ycontains a large amount of water which slowly Since this bar is urged ina space formed by the window frame members 5 I4 and side members I5 andI6. The side member I6, or parting stop, is mounted in a groove I1 inthe window frame I4. The sash stiles I I, I2 and I3 are provided withthe usual recess I8 for receiving the window pane I3, the latter beingheld in position by the usual putty or other retaining portion 20.

The interior of the window frame I4 is provided with a weatherstrip 2|(Figure 2) having a base portion 22 and a tongue 23 projecting into agroove 24.within the sash side stiles I3.` Mounted in the groove 24 is agroove adjusting member 25 consisting of an elongated bar with its outeredge substantially flush with the side edge of the stile I3 of the sashI0.

Various means are provided for urging the bar 25 transversely of thesash I0 into engagement with the weatherstrip tongue 23 and since theadjusting member 25 is substantially flush with the side of the stile I3it will be engageable with the weatherstrip portion 2l. In the principalembodiment (Figures 1 to 5) the bar 25 is provided with elongated slots28 having wedge shaped portions 21 engaged by wedges 28. The wedges 28are provided with threaded bores 23 yengaged by the threaded ends 30 ofexpanding screws 3| having enlarged shanks 32. 'Disposed between the bar25 and the shoulder 33 formed by the portions 3l and 32 is an abutmentmember 34 (Figure 4). The shank 32 of each exdriver slot 35 at the outerend thereof.

Operation In the operation of the preferred form of the invention(Figures 1 to 5 inclusive), the bar assembly, generally designated 36(Figure 5) is inserted in the sash groove 24 with the screw shanks 32pushed outwardly through the holes 31 provided in the sash stiles I3.'Ihe sash assembly is then placed in position in the usual manner withthe tongue 23 entering the groove 24 and engaged transversely by the bar25. The parting stops I6 Aare then placed in position in the knownmanner. f

In order to take up any excessive clearances between the bar 25 and theweatherstrip tongue 23, a screw driver is inserted in the slots 35 ofthe shanks 32 and rotated. This causes the wedge 28 to enter the slotportion 21., expanding the bar 25 transversely as shown in Figure 3. Theabutment member 34 prevents the bar 25 from moving further into thegroove 24 While y this is occurring. Y

As a consequence, the expansion of the bar 25 transversely effects africtional engagement with the weatherstrip tongue 23 and at the sametime brings about a frictional contact therewith. This action has thedouble result of closing up any excessive clearances and at the sametime producing a frictional drag which counteracts the weight of thewindow sash III and holds the latter open either partially or wholly, inany desired position.

From time to time the engagement of the bar 25 with the watherstriptongue 23 may be adjusted to the desired degree merely by turning thescrews 3|. 1f a high humidity, such as during the summertime, causes thebar to engage the weatherstrip t oo tightly, the screw 3I may be rotatedin a counterclockwise direction, causing the wedge 28 to move outwardrelatively to the wedge slot 21, thereby permitting the bar 25 tocontract transversely.

Modijed lever construction The modified lever construction of Figures 6and 7 employs similar principal elements to the preferred embodimentshown in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, these elements being similarlynumbered. The bar 25, however, in this modication, is solid and isprovided with recesses 40 engaged by the bent ends 4I of spring levers42 and it is noted that the adjuster element 25 has its outer edgesubstantially flush with the edge of the stile I3. The latter aremounted in recesses 43 in the sash stiles I3 and are engaged by screws44 passing through holes .45 in the levers 42.

In the operation of the modification shown in Figures 6 and 7, the bar25 is urged transversely by tightening the screws 44. This causes theends 4I of the lever 42 to moveV in a transverse direction, urging thebar 25 against the weatherstrip tongue 23. The screws 44 may betightened or loosened to vary the pressure with which the bar 25 engagesthe weatherstrip tongue 23, thereby' adapting the device to the properadjustment required by different conditions of humidity or climate. Atthe same time, the frictional engagement between the bar 25 and theweatherstrip tongue 23 can be varied so as to vary the force which theuser must apply in order to close or open the window.

As in the case of the preferred embodiment,

te modification of Figure 6 also enables the elimination of sashcounterweights or springs since the window is held wholly or partiallyopen in any desired position by the frictional engagement between thebar 25 and the weatherstrip tongue 23.

Modified cam construction The modified cam construction of Figures 9, 10and 11 employs similar principal elements to the preferred embodimentshown in Figures 1 to 8, inclusive, these elements being similarlynumbered. The wedges 28, however, in this embodiment are provided withstems58 having conical transverse holes I near the ends thereof remotefrom thev wedges 28. The sash groove 24 is provided with extensionrecesses 52 containing blocks 53 having mutually perpendicular bores 54and 55 for the reception of the stems 50 and adjusting screws 58respectively. The bores 55 are, of course, threaded to receive thecorresponding threads of the adjusting screws 56 and the latter areprovided with .conical heads 51 (Figure 9) for engaging the walls of theconical holes 5I. The sash stiles I3 are provided with transverse bores58 aligned with the threaded bores .55 through which the screws 56 enterthe latter.

In the operation of the modification shown in Figure 9, the device isassembled in a similar manner to the preferred embodiment' of Figure 2,with the wedges 28 within the wedge slots 21. To expand the bar 25laterally, the screws 58 are rotated clockwise so that their conicalends 51 enter and engage the walls of the conical holes 5 I. 'Ihisprovides a cam action urging the wedges 28 into the wedge grooves orslots 21, expanding the bar 25 transversely into engagement with theweatherstrip tongue 23. In this modification, as in Figure 2, theVopposite side of the bar 25 engages the opposite side of the groove 24as an abutment.

Thus, in the modification of Figure 9, the bar 25 is urged intofrictional engagement with the weatherstrip tongue 23 and at the sametime any excessive clearance therebetween is closed up to the desiredamount. In this way, as in the previously described embodiments, the barassembly 38 not only eliminates the need for sash counterweights orsprings, but also increases the efflciency of the weatherstrip structureby providing an adjustment thereof.

In the modification, as in Figures 1 to 5, the outer edge of theadjuster member 25 extends substantially ush with the outer edge of thegroove in the vertical stile I3 so as to cause the same to be engageablewith the weatherstrip 2I when the same is slightly expanded fromatmospheric conditions to thereby create a snug fit and exclude as muchair as possible.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described andillustrated, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade within the scope of the appended claims without departing from thespirit of the invention,

What we claim is:

l. In a sash retainer adapted to be received in a longitudinal recessand adjustably press against and move longitudinally with respect to aweatherstrip extending into said recess, thereby adjusting the frictionbetween the moving parts of a weatherstripped sliding sash and windowframe structure, the combination of an adjuster element mounted in saidrecess, and means for urging said adjuster transversely into engagementwith said weatherstrip portion in a direction transverse to the windowpane having its outer edge substantially flush with the outer edges ofthe longitudinal recess engageable with another portion of saidweatherstrip.

2; In a sash retainer adapted to be received in a longitudinal recessand adjustably press against and move longitudinally with respect to aweatherstrip extending into said recess, thereby adjusting the frictionbetween the moving parts of a weatherstripped sliding sash and windowframe structure, the combination of an adjuster element mounted in saidrecess, and means for urging said adjuster into engagement with saidweatherstrip portion in a direction transverse to the window pane andhaving its outer edge substantiallyv flush with the outer edges of thelongitudinal recess engageable with another portion of said weatherstripto said groove.`

3. In a sash retainer adapted to be received in a longitudinal recessand adjustably press against and move longitudinally with respect to aweatherstrip extending into said recess, thereby adjusting the frictionbetween the moving parts of a weatherstripped sliding sash and windowframe structure, the combination of an adjuster element mounted in saidrecess, and means for urging said adjuster into engagement with saidweatherstrip portion in a direction transverse to the window pane and tosaid groove, said adjuster being elongated and substantially parallelwith said window frame structure having its outer edge substantiallyflush with the outer edges of the longitudinal recess engageable withanother portion of said weatherstrip.

4. In a sash retainer adapted to be received in a longitudinal recessand adjustably press against and move longitudinally with respect to aweatherstrip extending into said recess, thereby adjusting the frictionbetween the moving parts of a weatherstripped sliding sash and windowframe structure, the combination of an adjuster element mounted in saidrecess, and means for urging said adjuster into ergagement with saidweatherstrip portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to thewindow pane and to said weatherstrip portion having its outer edgesubstantially fiush with the outer edges of the longitudinal recessengageable with another portion of said weatherstrip.

5. In a sash retainer adapted to be received in a longitudinal recessand adjustably press against and move longitudinally with respect to aweatherstrip extending into s`aid recess, thereby adjusting the frictionbetween the moving parts of a weatherstripped sliding sash and windowframe structure, the combination of an adjuster element mounted in saidrecess, and resilient means for urging said adjuster transversely intoengagement with said weatherstrip portion in a direction transverse tothe window pane.

6. In a sash retainer adapted `to be received in a longitudinal recessand adjustably pressagainst and move longitudinallywith respect to aweatherstrip extending into said recess, thereby adjusting the frictionbetween the moving parts of a weatherstripped sliding sash and windowframe structure, the combination of an adjuster element mounted in saidrecess and having a longitudinal depression therein, and force exertingmeans in said depression for laterally moving a portion of said adjustertransversely into engagement with said weatherstrip portion in adirection transverse to the window pane having its outer edgesubstantially ush with the outer edges of the Vlongitudinal recessengageable with another portion of said weatherstrip.

7. In a sash retainer adapted to be received in a longitudinal recessand adjustably press against and move longitudinally with respect to aweatherstrip extending into said recess, thereby adjusting the frictionbetween the moving parts of a weatherstripped sliding sash and windovvframe structure, the combination of an adjuster element mounted in saidrecess and having a longitudinal cavity therein, a wedge device in saidcavity, and means for urging said wedge device into said cavity formoving a portion of said adjuster transversely into engagement with saidweatherstrip portion in a direction transverse to the window pane.

8. In a sash retainer adapted to be received in a longitudinal recessand adjustably press against and move longitudinally ith respect to aweatherstrip extending into s id recess, thereby adjusting the frictionbetween the moving parts of a. weatherstripped sliding sash and windowframe structure, the combination of an adjuster element mounted in saidrecess and having a longitudinal cavity therein, a 'Wedge device in saidcavity, and screw actuated mechanism for urging said wedge device intosaid cavity for moving a portion of said adjuster into engagement withsaid weatherstrip portion in a directin transverse to the window pane.

9. In a sash retainer adapted to be received in a longitudinal recessand adjustably press against and move longitudinally with respect to aweatherstrip extending into said recess, thereby adjusting the frictionbetween the moving parts of a weatherstripped slidingsash and windowframe structure, the combination of an adjuster relement mounted in saidrecess and having a longitudinal cavity therein, a wedge device in saidcavity, an abutment engaging said adjuster beyond said cavity, and screwactuated mechanism for urging said wedge device toward said abutment formoving a portion of said adjuster. transversely into engagement withsaid weatherstrip portion in a direction transverse to the window pane.

10. In a sash retainer adapted to be received in a longitudinal recessand adjustably press against and move longitudinally with respect to aWeatherstrip extending into said recess, thereby adjusting the frictionbetween the moving parts of a weatherstripped sliding sash and windowframestructure, the combination of an adjuster element mounted -in saidrecess and having a longitudinal cavity therein', a wedge device in saidcavity, and cam means engaging said wedge device for urging said wedgedevice into said A cavity for moving a portion of said adjustertransversely into engagement with said weatherstrip portion in adirection transverse to the window pane. Y

11. In av sash retainer adapted to be received in a longitudinal recessand adjustably press against and move longitudinally with respect to aweatherstrip extending into said recess, thereby adjusting the frictionbetween the moving parts of a weatherstripped sliding sash and windowframe structure, the combination of an adjuster element mounted in saidrecess and having a longitudinal cavity therein, a wedge device in saidcavity having a cam contact surface and a cam engageable with said camcontact surface for moving a portion of said adjuster transversely intoengagement with said weatherstrip portion 'in a direction transverse tothe window pane.

12. In a sash retainer adapted to be received in a longitudinal recessand adjustably press against and move longitudinally with respect to aweatherstrip extending into said recess, thereby adjusting the frictionbetween the moving parts of a weatherstripped sliding sash and windowframe structure, the combination of an adjuster element mounted in saidrecess, a laterally movable element engageable with said adjuster, andmeans for moving said element toward said adjuste' for urging saidadjuster transversely into engagement with said weatherstrip portion ina direction transverse to the Window pane,

13. In a sash retainer adapted to be received in a longitudinal recessand adjustably press against and move longitudinally with respect to aweatherstrip extending into said recess, thereby adjusting the frictionbetween the moving parts of a weatherstripped sliding sash and windowframe structure, the combination of an adjuster element mounted in saidrecess, a laterally movable lever element engageable with said adjuster,and means for actuating said lever element for moving a portion of saidadjuster transversely into engagement with said weatherstrip portion ina direction transverse to the window pane.

14. In a sash retainer adapted to be received in a longitudinal recessand adjustably press against and move longitudinally with respect to aweatherstrip extending into said recess, thereby adjusting the frictionbetween the moving parts of a weatherstripped sliding sash and windowframe structure, the combination of an adjuster element mounted in saidrecess, a laterally movable lever-element engageable with said adjuster,and means for moving said element toward said adjuster for urging saidadjuster transversely into engagement with said weatherstrip portion ina direction transverse to the window pane, said lever element having aresilient part yieldingly engaging said adjuster.

15. In a sash retainer adapted to be received in a longitudinal recessand adjustably press against and move longitudinally with respect to aweatherstrip extending into said recess, thereby adjusting the frictionbetween the moving parts of a weatherstripped sliding sash and windowframe structure, the combination of an elongated adjusting membermounted in said recess and having a longitudinal cavity therein, anelongated wedge in said cavity, an abutment on the opposite side of saidmember from said wedge, and means for urging said wedge into said cavitytoward said abutment whereby to move a part of said adjusting membertransversely into engagement with said weatherstrip portion in adirection transverse to the window pane.

- JOSEPH P. GLASER.

LEON E. WILLETT.

